Diagnostic performance of CT with Valsalva maneuver for the diagnosis and characterization of inguinal hernias.

PURPOSE: Inguinal hernias are mainly diagnosed clinically, but imaging can aid in equivocal cases or for treatment planning. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of CT with Valsalva maneuver for the diagnosis and characterization of inguinal hernias. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study reviewed all consecutive Valsalva-CT studies between 2018 and 2019. A composite clinical reference standard including surgery was used. Three blinded, independent readers (readers 1-3) reviewed the CT images and scored the presence and type of inguinal hernia. A fourth reader measured hernia size. Interreader agreement was quantified with Krippendorff's α coefficients. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of Valsalva-CT for the detection of inguinal hernias was computed for each reader. RESULTS: The final study population included 351 patients (99 women) with median age 52.2 years (interquartile range (IQR), 47.2, 68.9). A total of 381 inguinal hernias were present in 221 patients. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 85.8%, 98.1%, and 91.5% for reader 1, 72.7%, 92.5%, and 81.8% for reader 2, and 68.2%, 96.3%, and 81.1% for reader 3. Hernia neck size was significantly larger in cases correctly detected by all three readers (19.0 mm, IQR 13, 25), compared to those missed by all readers (7.0 mm, IQR, 5, 9; p < 0.001). Interreader agreement was substantial (α = 0.723) for the diagnosis of hernia and moderate (α = 0.522) for the type of hernia. CONCLUSION: Valsalva-CT shows very high specificity and high accuracy for the diagnosis of inguinal hernia. Sensitivity is only moderate which is associated with missed smaller hernias.

Rehabilitation of eroded trails and gullies on quartzite rock outcrops with native species in a high-altitude grassland.

The quartzite rock outcrops and the native vegetation of grasslands located at the Serra da Calçada Mountain in Minas Gerais State (Brazil) have been severely degraded by extreme sports activities such as motocross and off-road vehicles, greatly damaging the abundant headwaters. The main consequences thereof were hilly and gully erosion processes with soil loss and the deviation of the water from its original paths. However, currently, there is no report of successful restoration efforts in severely eroded outcrops in Brazilian high-altitude grasslands (campo rupestre). Through the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), we found a high general erosion rate in the study site (669.91 t·ha-1·year-1), and the specific soil loss provoked by off-road vehicles on trails was significantly greater (49 m3 per 100 m2) than that caused by mountain bikes and trekking (5.8 m3 per 100 m2). We performed the physical reconstruction of eroded outcrops and surface water flow paths by allocating locally available quartzite rocks. These rocks were inoculated with different species of bryophytes and planted with native species under two treatments: un-inoculated and inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) spores of the Rhizophagus irregularis species. After 2 years, the bryophyte communities showed a similar pattern to the preserved site, and the AMF inoculation favoured plant establishment of most species, especially of the Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Fabaceae, Malpighiaceae, Orchidaceae and Poaceae families. The AMF also improved the soil fertility, highlighting soil P, SOM, CEC, NH4+-N as well as soil water content and water retention capacity. Poaceae family species showed an outstanding occupation, which was considered a functional indicator of rehabilitation success, functioning as a "hydraulic carpet" for water exportation, conduction and drainage across the outcrops. This study provides an eco-technology to restore severely eroded outcrops over headwaters using native species in the Brazilian high-altitude grasslands.

Tube voltage-independent coronary calcium scoring on a first-generation dual-source photon-counting CT-a proof-of-principle phantom study.

To evaluate the accuracy of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring at various tube voltages and different monoenergetic image reconstructions on a first-generation dual-source photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT). A commercially available anthropomorphic chest phantom with calcium inserts was scanned at different tube voltages (90 kV, Sn100kV, 120 kV, and Sn140kV) on a first-generation dual-source PCD-CT system with quantum technology using automatic exposure control with an image quality (IQ) level of 20. The same phantom was also scanned on a conventional energy-integrating detector CT (120 kV; weighted filtered back projection) for reference. Extension rings were used to emulate different patient sizes. Virtual monoenergetic images at 65 keV and 70 keV applying different levels of quantum iterative reconstruction (QIR) were reconstructed from the PCD-CT data sets. CAC scores were determined and compared to the reference. Radiation doses were noted. At an IQ level of 20, radiation doses ranged between 1.18 mGy and 4.64 mGy, depending on the tube voltage and phantom size. Imaging at 90 kV or Sn100kV was associated with a size-dependent radiation dose reduction between 23% and 48% compared to 120 kV. Tube voltage adapted image reconstructions with 65 keV and QIR 3 at 90 kV and with 70 keV and QIR 1 at Sn100kV allowed to calculate CAC scores comparable to conventional EID-CT scans with a percentage deviation of ≤ 5% for all phantom sizes. Our phantom study indicates that CAC scoring with dual-source PCD-CT is accurate at various tube voltages, offering the possibility of substantial radiation dose reduction.

Mitral annular disjunction in patients with severe aortic stenosis: Extent and reproducibility of measurements with computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: To determine with CT the prevalence and extent of mitral annular disjunction (MAD) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and its association with mitral valve disease and arrhythmia. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 408 patients (median age, 82 years; 186 females) with severe aortic stenosis undergoing ECG-gated cardiac CT with end-systolic data acquisition. Baseline and follow-up data were collected in the context of a national registry. Two blinded, independent observers evaluated the presence of MAD on multi-planar reformations. Maximum MAD distance (left atrial wall-mitral leaflet junction to left ventricular myocardium) and circumferential extent of MAD were assessed on CT using dedicated post-processing software. Associated mitral valve disease was determined with echocardiography. RESULTS: 7.8 % (32/408) of patients with severe aortic stenosis had MAD. The maximum MAD was 3.5 mm (interquartile range: 3.0-4.0 mm). The circumferential extent of MAD comprised 34 ±â€¯15 % of the posterior and 26 ±â€¯12 % of the entire mitral annulus. Intra- and interobserver agreement for the detection of MAD on CT were excellent (kappa: 0.90 ±â€¯0.02 and 0.92 ±â€¯0.02). Mitral regurgitation (p = 1.00) and severe mitral annular calcification (p = 0.29) were similarly prevalent in MAD and non-MAD patients. Significantly more patients with MAD (6/32; 19 %) had mitral valve prolapse compared to those without (6/376; 2 %; p < 0.001). MAD was not associated with arrhythmia before and after TAVR (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Using CT, MAD was found in 7.8 % of patients with severe aortic stenosis, with a higher prevalence in patients with mitral valve prolapse. We found no association of MAD with arrhythmia before or after TAVR.

Impact of Vessel Suppressed-CT on Diagnostic Accuracy in Detection of Pulmonary Metastasis and Reading Time.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To assess if vessel suppression (VS) improves nodule detection rate, interreader agreement, and reduces reading time in oncologic chest computed tomography (CT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: One-hundred consecutive oncologic patients (65 male; median age 60y) who underwent contrast-enhanced chest CT were retrospectively included. For all exams, additional VS series (ClearRead CT, Riverrain Technologies, Miamisburg) were reconstructed. Two groups of three radiologists each with matched experience were defined. Each group evaluated the SD-CT as well as VS-CT. Each reader marked the presence, size, and position of pulmonary nodules and documented reading time. In addition, for the VS-CT the presence of false positive nodules had to be stated. Cohen's Kappa (k) was used to calculate the interreader-agreement between groups. Reading time was compared using paired t test. RESULTS: Nodule detection rate was significantly higher in VS-CT compared to the SD-CT (+21%; p <0.001). Interreader-agreement was higher in the VS-CT (k = 0.431, moderate agreement) compared to SD-CT (k = 0.209, fair agreement). Almost all VS-CT series had false positive findings (97-99 out of 100). Average reading time was significantly shorter in the VS-CT compared to the SD-CT (154 ± 134vs. 194 ± 126; 21%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Vessel suppression increases nodule detection rate, improves interreader agreement, and reduces reading time in chest CT of oncologic patients. Due to false positive results a consensus reading with the SD-CT is essential.

Mitral annular calcification in the elderly - Quantitative assessment.

PURPOSE: To determine the reliability of subjective and objective quantification of mitral annular calcification (MAC) in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis, to define quantitative sex- and age-related reference values of MAC, and to correlate quantitative MAC with mitral valve disease. METHODS: In this retrospective, IRB-approved study, we included 559 patients (268 females, median age 81 years, inter-quartile range 77-85 years) with severe aortic stenosis undergoing CT. Four independent readers performed subjective MAC categorization as follows: no, mild, moderate, and severe MAC. Two independent readers performed quantitative evaluation of MAC using the Agatston score method (AgatstonMAC). Mitral valve disease was determined by echocardiography. RESULTS: Subjective MAC categorization showed high inter-reader agreement for no (k â€‹= â€‹0.88) and severe MAC (k â€‹= â€‹0.75), whereas agreement for moderate (k â€‹= â€‹0.59) and mild (k â€‹= â€‹0.45) MAC was moderate. Intra-reader agreement for subjective MAC categorization was substantial (k â€‹= â€‹0.69 and 0.62). Inter- and intra-reader agreement for AgatstonMAC were excellent (ICC â€‹= â€‹0.998 and 0.999, respectively), with minor inconsistencies in MAC involving the left ventricular outflow tract/aortic valve. There were significantly more women than men with MAC (n â€‹= â€‹227, 85% versus n â€‹= â€‹209, 72%; p â€‹< â€‹0.001), with a significantly higher AgatstonMAC (median 597, range 81-2055 versus median 244; range 0-1565; p â€‹< â€‹0.001), particularly in patients ≥85 years of age. AgatstonMAC showed an area-under-the-curve of 0.84 to diagnose mitral stenosis, whereas there was no association of AgatstonMAC with mitral regurgitation (p â€‹> â€‹0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis shows that quantitative MAC scoring is more reliable than subjective MAC assessment. Women show higher AgatstonMAC scores than men, particularly in the elderly population. AgatstonMAC shows high accuracy to diagnose mitral stenosis.

Ivermectin: repurposing a multipurpose drug for Venezuela's humanitarian crisis.

Ivermectin (IVM) is a robust antiparasitic drug with an excellent tolerance and safety profile. Historically it has been the drug of choice for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis global elimination programs. IVM is an oral insecticide and is a standard treatment against intestinal helminths and ectoparasites. The current humanitarian crisis in Venezuela is a regional public health threat that requires immediate action. The public health system in Venezuela has crumbled because of a 70% shortage of medicines in public hospitals, low vaccination campaigns, and the mass exodus of medical personnel. Herein we discuss the repurposing of IVM to attenuate the burden imposed by the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Venezuela, including soil-transmitted helminths, ectoparasites and, possibly, vector-borne diseases, such as malaria. In addition, novel experimental evidence has shown that IVM is active and efficacious in vitro against Chagas disease, Leishmaniases, arboviruses, and SARS-CoV-2. In crisis-hit Venezuela, all these infectious diseases are public health emergencies that have long been ignored and require immediate attention. The versatility of IVM could serve as a powerful tool to tackle the multiple overlapping endemic and emergent diseases that currently affect Venezuela. The repurposing of this multipurpose drug would be a timely therapeutic approach to help mitigate the tremendous burden of NTDs nationwide.

Effects of a low-volume plyometric training in anaerobic performance of adolescent athletes.

BACKGROUND: Parameters related to the anaerobic capacity and power may be important for the performance of many sports whose skills are related to high-intensity and short-duration efforts. Although plyometric training (PT) has been widely used in the regular strength and conditioning programs of young athletes, its effects on anaerobic performance are still controversial. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of PT in anaerobic performance in young athletes. METHODS: Twenty-nine adolescent athletes participated in this 10-week study. Baseline and post intervention testing included Flying Start 30 m Sprint Test (F30), 1600 m, and Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). Subjects were divided in two groups: one completed only their regular training sessions, thus serving as the control (CON, N.=15), whereas the other performed the regular training plus twice-weekly low-volume plyometric training (PLYO, N.=14). RESULTS: PLYO groups had significant increases in all variables analyzed. The novel findings were the increase in F30 performance (4.22% for PLYO vs. 1.08% for CON), the decreases in Fatigue Index (9.9% for PLYO vs. 1.53% for CON), and increases in minimum (19.41% for PLYO vs. 0.29 for CON), mean (14.7% for PLYO vs. 0.16% for CON) and peak power (10.88% for PLYO vs. 0.81% for CON) during the RAST Test. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that anaerobic performance is an important feature in many sports, our results suggests that coaches involved with strength and conditioning of youth athletes should consider the inclusion PT in their training periodization.

Manual adjustment of tube voltage from 120 to 100 kVp during abdominal CT in patients with body weights ≤75 kg: assessment of image quality and radiation dose in a prospective, randomised trial.

AIM: To assess image quality and radiation dose in patients with body weights ≤75 kg undergoing abdominal computed tomography (CT) with a tube voltage of either 120 or 100 kVp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients weighing ≤75 kg were prospectively assigned to receive either 120 or 100 kVp abdominal CT in the portal-venous phase. Attenuation values of abdominal organs and image noise were measured, and the contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were calculated. Subjective image quality was assessed by three independent radiologists. Radiation exposure was assessed by size-specific dose estimate (SSDE). RESULTS: The mean attenuation of the kidney increased by 20% at 100 kVp (p<0.0001), and the mean image noise was 27% higher in the 100 kVp (p=0.003). The CNR did not significantly differ between the groups (120 kVp, 6.6±2.8; 100 kVp, 7.4±3.6; p=0.26). Except for subjective image noise (p<0.001), no other subjective quality parameters (e.g., contrast, artefacts) were significantly different between the two groups (p between 0.094 and 0.761). The mean SSDE in the 100-kVp group (9.8±1.8 mGy) was reduced by 19% compared to the 120-kVp group (12.1±1.8 mGy; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Manual reduction of tube voltage from the standard 120 to 100 kVp for portal-venous phase CT in patients with body weights ≤75 kg resulted in a 19% dose reduction while maintaining objective and subjective image quality.

Assessment of image quality and low-contrast detectability in abdominal CT of obese patients: comparison of a novel integrated circuit with a conventional discrete circuit detector at different tube voltages.

OBJECTIVES: To compare image quality and low-contrast detectability of an integrated circuit (IC) detector in abdominal CT of obese patients with conventional detector technology at low tube voltages. METHODS: A liver phantom with 45 lesions was placed in a water container to mimic an obese patient and examined on two different CT systems at 80, 100 and 120 kVp. The systems were equipped with either the IC or conventional detector. Image noise was measured, and the contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) was calculated. Low-contrast detectability was assessed independently by three radiologists. Radiation dose was estimated by the volume CT dose index (CTDIvol). RESULTS: The image noise was significantly lower, and the CNR was significantly higher with the IC detector at 80, 100 and 120 kVp, respectively (P = 0.023). The IC detector resulted in an increased lesion detection rate at 80 kVp (38.1 % vs. 17.2 %) and 100 kVp (57.0 % vs. 41.0 %). There was no difference in the detection rate between the IC detector at 100 kVp and the conventional detector at 120 kVp (57.0 % vs. 62.2 %). The CTDIvol at 80, 100 and 120 kVp measured 4.5-5.2, 7.3-7.9 and 9.8-10.2 mGy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The IC detector at 100 kVp resulted in similar low-contrast detectability compared to the conventional detector with a 120-kVp protocol at a radiation dose reduction of 37 %.

Performance and nutrient utilization in South American juvenile catfish Pseudoplatystoma spp. weighting 89 - 170g, fed at different energy and protein levels / Desempenho e utilização de nutrientes em juvenis de surubim Pseudoplatystoma spp. alimentados com diferentes níveis de energia e proteína

Most studies in nutrition for the South American catfish (surubim) were limited to the initial phase of development. However, it is clear that performance and nutrient utilization can change during the life stages of a fish. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the performance and nutrient utilization in juveniles of surubim fed diets varying in protein and energy levels. Two experiments were performed to test different levels of energy and protein in formulated diets. In the first experiment, surubim juveniles (89.2±4.8g) were fed five diets containing different levels of energy (18.0, 18.8, 19.6, 20.5, 21.3 MJ/kg). In the second experiment, juveniles (170.03±3.35g) were fed five diets containing different levels of protein (360, 400, 440, 480 and 520g/kg). The most favorable energy level for weight gain was 20.3 MJ/kg. The increasing energy levels provided a rise in fat and decrease in protein whole-body composition. The protein amount was between 360 to 400g/kg (383g/kg), which was adequate for performance and nutrient assimilation in surubim juveniles.

A maior parte dos estudos a respeito dos aspectos nutricionais do surubim está limitada às primeiras fases de desenvolvimento. Entretanto, é claro que o desempenho e a utilização dos nutrientes podem mudar durante os diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento destes animais. Assim sendo, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho e a utilização de nutrientes em juvenis de surubim alimentados com dietas contendo níveis variáveis de energia e proteína. Dois experimentos foram realizados para testar os diferentes níveis de proteína e energia. No primeiro experimento, juvenis de surubim (89,2±4,8g) foram alimentados com cinco dietas contendo níveis diferentes de energia (18.0, 18.8, 19.6, 20.5, 21.3MJ/kg). No segundo experimento, os juvenis (170,03±3,35g) foram alimentados com dietas contendo cinco níveis de proteína (360, 400, 440, 480 e 520g/kg). O melhor nível de energia para ganho de peso foi 20,3 MJ/kg. O aumento dos níveis de energia levou a um incremento nos níveis de lipídeo e diminuição da proteína corporal. Níveis de proteína entre 360 a 400g/kg foram os mais adequados para o desempenho e utilização dos nutrientes em juvenis grandes de surubim.

Physical-chemical and biological behavior of an amorphous calcium phosphate thin film produced by RF-magnetron sputtering.

This work evaluates the thermal reactivity and the biological reactivity of an amorphous calcium phosphate thin film produced by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering onto titanium substrates. The analyses showed that the sputtering conditions used in this work led to the deposition of an amorphous calcium phosphate. The thermal treatment of this amorphous coating in the presence of H2O and CO2 promoted the formation of a carbonated HA crystalline coating with the entrance of CO32- ions into the hydroxyl HA lattice. When immersed in culture medium, the amorphous and carbonated coatings exhibited a remarkable instability. The presence of proteins increased the dissolution process, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Moreover, the carbonated HA coating induced precipitation independently of the presence of proteins under dynamic conditions. Despite this surface instability, this reactive calcium phosphate significantly improved the cellular behavior. The cell proliferation was higher on the Ticp than on the calcium phosphate coatings, but the two coatings increased cellular spreading and stress fiber formation. In this sense, the presence of reactive calcium phosphate coatings can stimulate cellular behavior.

Citotoxicidade de soldas elétricas a ponto: estudo in vitro / Cytotoxicity of electric spot welding: an in vitro study

OBJETIVO: o processo de solda envolve íons metálicos capazes de provocar lise celular. Diante disso, o objetivo deste estudo foi testar a hipótese de que existe citotoxicidade entre diferentes tipos de ligas (CrNi, TMA, NiTi) utilizadas em Ortodontia, submetidas à solda elétrica a ponto. MÉTODOS: três tipos de ligas foram avaliados neste estudo. Foram confeccionados 36 corpos de prova, 6 para cada combinação entre os fios, divididos em 6 grupos - grupo AA (aço com aço), grupo AT (aço com TMA), grupo AN (aço com NiTi), grupo TT (TMA com TMA), grupo TN (TMA com NiTi) e grupo NN (NiTi com NiTi) - que foram submetidos à solda a ponto para avaliação quanto ao possível efeito citotóxico nos tecidos bucais. Previamente, os corpos de prova foram limpos com álcool isopropílico e esterilizados em luz ultravioleta. O ensaio de citotoxicidade foi realizado utilizando-se cultura de células (linhagem L929, fibroblastos de camundongos), submetida ao teste para células viáveis em vermelho neutro ("dye-uptake") no tempo de 24h. A análise de variância e comparação múltipla (ANOVA) e teste de Tukey foram utilizados (p< 0,05). RESULTADOS: os resultados demonstraram que não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos experimentais (P> 0,05). Foi observada maior viabilidade celular no grupo TT, seguido dos grupos AT, TN, AA, NA e NN. CONCLUSÃO: pôde-se evidenciar que solda em fios de liga de NiTi causaram maior quantidade de lise celular. Soldas elétricas a ponto demonstraram pequena capacidade de causar lise celular.

OBJECTIVE: The welding process involves metal ions capable of causing cell lysis. In view of this fact, the aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that cytotoxicity is present in different types of alloys (CrNi, TMA, NiTi) commonly used in orthodontic practice when these alloys are subjected to electric spot welding. METHODS: Three types of alloys were evaluated in this study. Thirty-six test specimens were fabricated, 6 for each wire combination, and divided into 6 groups: Group SS (stainless steel), Group ST (steel with TMA), Group SN (steel with NiTi), Group TT (TMA with TMA), Group TN group (TMA with NiTi) and Group NN (NiTi with NiTi). All groups were subjected to spot welding and assessed in terms of their potential cytotoxicity to oral tissues. The specimens were first cleaned with isopropyl alcohol and sterilized with ultraviolet light (UV). A cytotoxicity assay was performed using cultured cells (strain L929, mouse fibroblast cells), which were tested for viable cells in neutral red dye-uptake over 24 hours. Analysis of variance and multiple comparison (ANOVA), as well as Tukey test were employed (p<0.05). RESULTS: The results showed no statistically significant difference between experimental groups (P>0.05). Cell viability was higher in the TT group, followed by groups ST, TN, SS, NS and NN. CONCLUSIONS: It became evident that the welding of NiTi alloy wires caused a greater amount of cell lysis. Electric spot welding was found to cause little cell lysis.

[Improved efficiency in swallowing diagnostics using an electronic documentation system]. / Effektivierung der Schluckdiagnostik durch ein elektronisches Dokumentationssystem.

BACKGROUND: The aim is to present a German-language electronic documentation system for the fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in order to make routine swallowing diagnostics and therapeutic recommendations more effective and as initial confirmation of its suitability for daily use. METHODS: Time-efficient, precise, and complete documentation is provided by an interactive findings system via preset text fields and integration of representative frames with automatic report generation. This documentation system (FEED) (Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Dysphagia, XION medical GmbH, Berlin) was applied to 301 digitized FEES recordings. RESULTS: Of the parameters required by the FEES protocol, 97% were recorded in 9 min on average. Altogether, the application of FEED resulted in a time-saving of more than 50% as compared to free protocols. The use of the Murray and Rosenbek scales enabled a graded evaluation of swallowing disorders. CONCLUSIONS: FEED shortens documentation time, improves report quality and has proven to be a practical instrument in making routine swallowing diagnostics and therapy more effective.

Citotoxicidade de soldas ortodônticas à prata / Cytotoxic orthodontic welding of the silver

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a citotoxicidade de soldas à prata. Foram avaliadas soldas à prata divididos em 4 grupos assim denominados: AAS (aço com aço sem polimento), AAC (aço com aço com polimento), ALS (aço com latão sem polimento) e ALC (aço com latão com polimento). Previamente, os corpos de prova foram esterilizados em luz ultravioleta (UV). Após isso os mesmos foram imersos em meio mínimo essencial de Eagle (MEM) por 24h, então procedeu-se a remoção do sobrenadante e colocação em contato com fibroblastos L929. Após contato com o meio as células foram incubadas por mais 24 h, então foram adicionados 100ml do corante vermelho neutro a 0,01%. Novamente as células foram incubadas por 3 hs para que as mesmas incorporasse o corante. Passado esse período as células foram fixadas e então realizada contagem de células viáveis em espectrofotômetro (BioTek, Winooski, Vermont, USA) em um comprimento de onda de 492nm (l = 492 nm). Os resultados demonstraram não haver diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos experimentais (AAS, AAC, ALS e ALC) (P>0.05). Diferenças estatísticas foram observadas entre os grupos C+ com os demais assim como o C- e CC com os grupos experimentais (P<0.05). Pode-se concluir com a realização desse trabalho que as soldas à prata são altamente citotoxicas e o polimento diminui sua citotoxicidade.

A pneumococcal pilus influences virulence and host inflammatory responses.

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide. The initial event in invasive pneumococcal disease is the attachment of encapsulated pneumococci to epithelial cells in the upper respiratory tract. This work provides evidence that initial bacterial adhesion and subsequent ability to cause invasive disease is enhanced by pili, long organelles able to extend beyond the polysaccharide capsule, previously unknown to exist in pneumococci. These adhesive pili-like appendages are encoded by the pneumococcal rlrA islet, present in some, but not all, clinical isolates. Introduction of the rlrA islet into an encapsulated rlrA-negative isolate allowed pilus expression, enhanced adherence to lung epithelial cells, and provided a competitive advantage upon mixed intranasal challenge of mice. Furthermore, a pilus-expressing rlrA islet-positive clinical isolate was more virulent than a nonpiliated deletion mutant, and it out-competed the mutant in murine models of colonization, pneumonia, and bacteremia. Additionally, piliated pneumococci evoked a higher TNF response during systemic infection, compared with nonpiliated derivatives, suggesting that pneumococcal pili not only contribute to adherence and virulence but also stimulate the host inflammatory response.

Effects of surface undulations of biphasic calcium phosphate tablets on human osteoblast behavior.

In this work, the in vitro behavior of human osteoblast cells on the undulated surfaces of biphasic calcium phosphate tablets was investigated. The tablets were produced by uniaxial pressing with convex cylindrical undulations occupying only half of the surface area; the other half was flat. Chemical and physical characterization was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD and FTIR analyses revealed the presence of hydroxyapatite (HA) and alpha-tricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP) in a well-defined ratio. Moreover, microtopography, evaluated by SEM and AFM, was similar on the flat region and on that with undulations. However, surface undulations induced different cellular arrangements, confirming the influence of the macrotopography on the cells orientation.

Efeito de diferentes níveis de proteína e energia sobre o rendimento de carcaça de codornas européias / Effect of protein and energy levels on carcass yield of European quails

Avaliou-se o rendimento de carcaça de codornas européias de corte (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) no 42º dia de idade, alimentadas com dietas contendo quatro níveis de proteína e dois níveis de energia. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, com seis repetições e oito codornas por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos constituíram de um fatorial 2I4, ou seja, dois níveis de energia (2900 e 3100kcal EM/kg) e quatro níveis de proteína (22, 24, 26 e 28 por cento proteína bruta na dieta). As variáveis estudadas foram: peso vivo, peso de carcaça, rendimento de carcaça, peso de coxa, rendimento de coxa, peso de peito, rendimento de peito, peso de gordura abdominal, rendimento de gordura abdominal, peso de vísceras comestíveis e rendimento de vísceras comestíveis. Não houve efeito significativo dos níveis de energia e nem dos níveis de proteína sobre nenhuma das características de carcaça analisada.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis in an apicomplexan parasite (Toxoplasma gondii).

Endocytosis mechanisms are poorly known in apicomplexan parasites. Here, we show that extracellular tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii bind and internalize heparin-like sulfated glycans in a specific, saturable manner. Discrete binding of the glycan occurs at the anterior third of the tachyzoite, where it is rapidly concentrated inside single tubulo vesicular compartments that become multiple with time. The compound is held for several hours intracellularly with no apparent exocytosis or acidification. Incubation in the continuous presence of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated heparin enhances the binding and internalization of this ligand by live tachyzoites. Two tachyzoite surface polypeptides exhibit strong binding and specificity for heparin, making them candidate receptors. Uptake of fluid-phase endocytic tracers occurs via nonspecific pinocytosis in the same region of the parasite cell, but with much lower efficiency. These observations show that extracellular tachyzoites can acquire molecules through both receptor-specific and fluid-phase endocytic mechanisms. Understanding the physiological relevance of these processes for the extracellular and intracellular stages of T. gondii may bring about direct targeting of the parasite by drug delivery into the tachyzoites.

Emerging genetic diversity of HIV-1 in South America.

OBJECTIVE: Genotype determination and risk group analysis of HIV-1 infected individuals in selected regions of South America. DESIGN: Cross-sectional convenience sampling of HIV-1-positive individuals in Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay and Paraguay from March, 1994 through September, 1998. METHODS: HIV-1-positive subjects were identified through the national AIDS surveillance program in each country. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain demographic, clinical and risk factor data on each study subject. Viral DNA was extracted from participants' peripheral blood mononuclear cells either directly or after co-cultivation. A nested PCR was used to obtain selected fragments of the envelope genes for genotyping by the heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA). A 600 bp sequence encompassing the V3 loop was sequenced from a selection of 23 of these samples for phylogenetic analysis and confirmation of HMA genotype. RESULTS: Among the 257 successfully genotyped HIV-1-positive samples, genotype B was found in 98.3% (228/232) of those obtained from subjects in Peru, Ecuador, and Paraguay. In contrast, 56% (14/25) of the samples from Uruguay were genotype F, and the remainder were genotype B. Genotype F was detected for the first time in Peru (2/224) and Paraguay (1/4), and genotype A for the first time in Peru (1/224). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the genotype identified by HMA in the 23 samples sequenced. There was no detectable genetic clustering of HIV-1 within the different high-risk groups or geographic locations. CONCLUSIONS: These findings verify and extend the presence of several different HIV-1 genotypes in South America.